Torpedo



April 22 1924. 1,491,116

F. E. P. UBERROTH ET AL TORPEDO I Filed.July 5. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 22 1924. 1 491 11 I F. E. P. UBERROTH ET AL TORPEDO Filed July 5, 1922 I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 "atented Apr. 22, 1924-.

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FRANK E. P. UBERROTH AND 'WERNYER-E. FOLLIN, OF NEV/PO'R'I, RHODE I$LANID, AS SIGNOR-S TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

TORPEDO.

Application filed July 5, 1922. SerialNo. 572,953.

To (ZZZ whom 2 2. may concern Be it known that we. FRANK E. P. Unnanurrr and. Wn mmn E. FoLLrN, both citizens of the United States, residing at Newport ilhode Island, respectively, have invented new and useful Improvements in Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in torpedoes and more particularly to improve ments in the depth control mechanism, that is. the mechanism for insuring the torpedo traveling at a predetermined depth below the surface of the water.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved depth control mechanism that will be more reliable and efiicient in use and operation than the mechanism now employed.

A further object is to provide a simple and practical depth control mechanism which may be inexpensively manufactured. assembled and installed in torpedoes now in use without material alteration or interfer ence with other units contained therein.

Affurther object is to provide a depth control mechanism adapted to prevent varia tions in the depth of travel by more effectively insulating the operating parts from the effect of variations in temperature and pressure in the after-body of the torpedo where the mechanism is positioned.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out in connection with the accompanying sheets of drawings illustrating one of various possible embodiments of the invention and wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout.

In these drawings. Figure 1 is a general diagrammatic view of the after-body of the torpedo showing the relative position and location of the depth control mechanism.

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical view partially in section showing such parts as are necessary to understand the same.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view through a portion of the mechanisms.

Figure 4 is a detail view.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and more particularly to Figures 2 and 3, the mechanism forming the principal part of the invention is mounted upon a base or casting 1 sha ed to fit in the lower after part of the afterody. A plate 2 provided with webbing is suitably secured thereto by any suitable fastening means such as the screws or nuts indicated. Secured to the plate 2 is a spring case 3 with a water tight joint therebetween provided for by a washer 1. A ring 5 on the under side of the top surface of the base 1 holds a diaphragm 6 in place as suitably secured thereto in any desired manner. Clamped on the diaphragm 6 is a diaphragm plate 7 held in place by a nut 8 and lock nut 9 and screwed on the inside of the plate 7 is an adjusting nut 10. This adjusting nut is also provided with internal threads working in the opposite direction to the external threads and coacts with a rod having a recess 11 and provided with a bearin holder 12 supporting the threaded bearing 13. These parts are so positioned and arranged as to permit the diaphragm to move up and down and be guided in its relative movement by means of the central pin on the spring case 3 co acting with the recess 11 as shown clearly in Figure 3. A tension spring 14 is secured to the plate 2 and the other end is provided with a head 15 containing the bearing 13. Brazed onto the plate 2 is a container 16 provided with an inlet nipple 17 and an outlet nipple 18 for the circulation of water. Located in the shell of the after-body is a nipple 19 connected to the nipple 17 by means of a pipe 20 adapted to convey water to the inside of the container 16 and maintain the temperature thereof equal to that on the other side of the diaphragm. A pipe 21 conveys water from the container to the outside of the torpedo through adjacent nipple 22. A circulating plate 23 insures a continuous passage of water for'this cooling purpose thereby preventing the increasing temperatures in the after-body from affecting the tension and operation of the diaphragm. The construction and arrangement of parts and connection of the spring casing 3 the outer casing 16 and the base member 1 also prevents leakage of any high pressure gases which may accumulate in the after-body to the opposite side of the actuation diaphragm thus insuring greater reliability and efiiciency in the operation of the depth control mechanism.

Water pressure for operating the diaphragm is preferably taken in through the midship bulkhead 24 and conveyed by means of pipe 25 to a nipple 36 in the base 1. Se-

T h tvvo sever-cs 3 l oove in th V removable adjusting tl; tension OL the swing 3 in plate permits the drai. or filling o the chamber under the diaphragm. iVith this con-:ruction in mind eraoion is sub the tension spi at which the toi; .ed to run and the cham3er under. the diaphra 'in iilled with Water the mechanism is rea for operation. The adjustment of spring;- let is made by turning acjus ting nut 10 and holding the rod 11 again t rotation. A. spring balance may be used measure the tension out this sprin Upon launching the torpedo the hydrostatic pressure of water is con eyed from the midship sect on through lmnniead 24:, pipe 25, into the chamber under the diphragni 6. [is soon as the torpedo sinks to a depth greater than that for which it is intended or the pressure under the diaphragm 6 is greater than the pressure exerted against it by the spring the diaphragm plate 7 will move upwardly and the pivoted yoke 28 carrying plunger 29 with it thereby operates the depth engine. As soon as the torpedo has recovered itself to its proper depth the spring pressure will then rce the diaphragm plate downwardly together with yoke 28 and plunger 29 and operate the engine accordingly.

It is thus seen that the present invention provides a more reliable and efficient depth control mechanism than hereto-tore employed and one Well adapted to accomplish among others all of the objects and advantages herein set forth.

il ithout further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can be applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various ap plications Without omitting certain features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended Withinthe meaning and range of equivaleny of the following claims.

What We claim lo:-

1. In a torpedo, in combination, a hydrostatically actuated diaphragm, a plunger adjustably secured and movable therewith, a tension spring acting on said plunger, a casing surroundin said plunger and spring, a container surrounding said casing and circulating pipes connecting said container at opposite sides with the exterior of the torpedo for allowing sea Water through said container thereby to maintain substantially constant temperature about the spring.

2. In a torpedo, in combination, a hydrostatically actuated diaphragm, a plunger adiustably secured and movable therewith, a tension spring acting on said plunger, a casing surrounding said plunger and spring, a container surrounding said casing, circulating pipes connecting said container at opposite sides with the exterior of the torpedo tor allowing sea Water through said container thereby to maintain a substantially constant temperature about the spring and a piping leading to a chamber on the under side of said diaphragm through the forward bulkhead of the after-body for conveying sea Water pressure to said diaphragm.

Signed at ll. S. Navy Yard. Mare Island, California, this 15th day of May, 1922.

FRANK E. UBERROTH.

Signed at Newport, Rhode Island, this 23rd day of May, 1922.

WERNER E. FOLLIN. 

